Alpine soars ahead of rivals Alpine Eagle justified odds of 1/2 in workmanlike fashion under Andrew Leigh in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. The Jessica Harrington-trained seven-year-old's chance was greatly boosted by a number of non-runners, notably Kerb Appeal (lame) and Beckwith Star (ground), as well as some indifferent jumping by his rivals. Leigh's mount struck the front two out, where chief market-rival Wikaala (7/2) was done no favours as Blakesbrook unseated his rider, and was pushed out on the run-in to beat Air Chief (12/1) by a length. Wikaala was also tightened up at the last but could only keep on onepaced a further seven lengths back in third. Winning owner J P McManus' representative Frank Berry said: “He has his own technique but got the job done. He'll be kept going over the summer, and will probably stick to fences.” Alan Magee
